Dear Editor, The bitter disputes over claims by companies for exclusive rights to shades of colours for their trade marks or packaging is becoming a farce. (BirminghamPost.net November 14)

Common sense tells us a colour in any particular shade should not be exclusive to any one company and “protected” as such.

Recent disputes concerning the trading colours for examples: purple, orange, green, red and so on, do little these days to increase sales amongst more sophisticated modern consumers. Unique colours for packaging were something associated with mass illiteracy of the buying public circa the 1800s. The cyber-skilled buying public, including children, is now too “shopping wise” to be influenced by pretty shades.

With money tight, consumers are hunting for high value with fair prices.

The price and solid value for money and no frills environmentally responsible packaging and signage, is gradually becoming the preferred shopping item.

Companies may well concentrate on such an approach and make their sales more related to responsible value, rather than a trading rainbow hue.

Albert Cox, Bournville